/oss/taxonomy/term/1683/all en /oss/article/did-you-know/those-silica-gel-packs-you-toss-out-are-filled-deliquescent-chemicals <p><span>When you buy a new pair of shoes or stereo you probably encounter, and subsequently toss out, lots of little packets bearing the warning ‘Do Not Eat’ filled with silica gel. Did you know though, that those packs are filled with deliquescent chemicals? </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygroscopy#Deliquescence">Deliquescent materials</a><span> are those that absorb moisture from the air, to the point that, if allowed, they will absorb water until they are dissolved in solution.</span></p> Tue, 21 Nov 2017 17:45:44 +0000 Ada McVean B.Sc. 6827 at /oss /oss/article/controversial-science-environment-household-products-technology/electronic-waste <p>Some people are concerned about radiation from cell phones possibly causing brain tumours. Others worry about exposure to wi-fi causing cancer. And now I’m getting questions about whether cell phones are toxic because they contain benzene. No, cell phones do not contain benzene. Where does this notion come form? A misinterpretation of a quest by some environmental groups to have Apple in China stop using benzene along with another solvent, hexane, in the production of electronic equipment such as cell phones.</p> Fri, 16 May 2014 13:21:47 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 2147 at /oss